Harry Potter manuscript on show

J.K. Rowling's manuscript for first Harry Potter novel to be exhibited at
British Library.

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling at a children's book launch event

12:30PM BST 10 May 2012

The original manuscript of the firstHarry Potter novel is going on show in a new exhibition a stone's throw from the station where the teenage wizard caught the Hogwart's Express.

The work, including a scene from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone where the character catches a train from Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross Station in London, is part of an exhibition at the nearby British Library.

JK Rowling's Harry Potter books have sold more than 450 million copies, been translated into 74 languages and have inspired a series of hit films.

Her first post-Potter novel, The Casual Vacancy, will be published later this year.

Also on show at the Writing Britain: Wastelands to Wonderlands exhibition is an original draft of John Lennon's song In My Life which details a bus journey from his childhood home into Liverpool city centre and appeared on the 1965 Rubber Soul album.

Other exhibits are a 14th-century copy of the poem Sir Gawain And The Green Knight, the original manuscript of The Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson and JRR Tolkien's artwork for The Hobbit.

The exhibition, which opens tomorrow and runs until September 25, examines how English literature is influenced by the UK landscape and includes letters, maps, lyrics and drawings.

Jamie Andrews, head of english and drama at the library, said: "We are very excited to share the wealth of the country's literature in the summer of 2012 and to explore how writers from William Blake to Angela Carter have helped shaped the nation's understanding of our landscape and surroundings.

"Writing Britain celebrates the incredible collection of great literary works held at the British Library, spanning more than 1,000 years to the present day. These rare and unique collections will help give a fascinating and new insight into the creative thinking behind iconic British novels, poems, illustrations and more."